Remarkable morning sees Lancashire crash to Nottinghamshire defeat

Lancashire lost their last eight wickets for 15 runs as they crashed to a six-wicket defeat at the hands of newly-promoted Nottinghamshire in their opening game of the new County Championship season.

The Red Rose were eventually bowled out for 73 but there were times in the fourth innings of the game when it seemed that even 50 runs, rather than the mere 10 they eventually set Notts, would have constituted a decent target on a remarkable morning at Old Trafford.

Destroyer-in-chief was left-arm seamer Harry Gurney, who finished with six for 25 taking him to eight for 43 in the match.

Requiring 10 to win, the visitors still managed to lose four wickets in the first 25 balls of their innings but Samit Patel and Riki Wessels calmed matters and completed their side’s win at 12.30pm.

Gurney’s partner in crime was Jake Ball, 4-14 and nine for 57 in the match, who produced the delivery of the match to knock out Steven Croft’s off stump, but by then the Lancastrian collapse was well advanced.

The drama was not done though with Joe Mennie taking three for four as Nottinghamshire stumbled over the line on an astonishing final morning.